The report prepared for the SPFL General Meeting alleges its chief executive, Neil Doncaster, breached his duties as a company director. His “guiding hand”, apparently, did not provide material information to clubs ahead of their vote last month, misrepresented the situation through non-disclosure, did not exercise care, skill and diligence. It concludes there is “reasonable grounds for suspecting” he breached his fiduciary duty as a director of the SPFL.
Let’s be clear on the allegation, it is weak “suspecting” he was in breach, and was qualified by the adjective, “reasonable”. Not overwhelming, indisputable or even good, just reasonably good. It is not a good start.
It is alleged the SPFL could be on the hook for £10m in refunds to broadcasters and sponsors as a result of the lower leagues being curtailed and the possibility that the Premiership is also cut short. As the latter is yet to take place, this point is not credible. Broadcasts are overwhelmingly of the top flight, which will only be cancelled when all details are correct.
It is contended that future SPFL revenues could be restricted if, in future, the SPFL parts with other marketable properties e.g. league sponsorship rights. It is clear that none of this may happen and even if it does, it is not clear what, if any, alternatives would potentially be available, as these events have not happened.
Clubs may suffer financial loss if the SPFL is subject to future financial claims, which it subsequently loses, “Why was this not disclosed?” Again, any number of future events may or may not happen. But they have not happened!!
The report then alleges clubs were erroneously told they could only receive cash by voting for the SPFL resolution. Neil Doncaster examined this point in detail on BBC Sportsound on Saturday. It was the board’s view that loans to 42 clubs were not practical and limited scope existed to provide advances to the 30 lower league clubs, as money due to those finishing bottom of each table have almost been reached with the payment made in March.
The report asserts that there will be “significant difficulty” in getting the required agreement of SKY TV to league reconstruction and that this was not disclosed to clubs. I have seen no evidence of this significant difficulty and would be astonished if Doncaster had not received positive correspondence from SKY on the matter.
On corporate governance, it is claimed that Aberdeen got an assurance from the board that the Premiership would not be called without the board consulting with Premiership clubs, that this assurance was not disclosed to all 42 clubs and this, therefore, becomes a failure of corporate governance.
Agreeing to consult before taking a decision is not often regarded as a corporate governance failure. Dare I say this is a bit of a stretch?
There is a semantic point, “Clubs were given the misleading impression that they had to vote by 5.00pm on Friday.” The SPFL email asked them to vote by that time “if possible”. Frankly, despite the lack of weight thus far, I am amazed this point reached the final report.
Not relating to these issues, the minutes of 15 SPFL meetings were “unapproved”, the board took less than 24 hours to review 118 pages of detailed notes and an update on the vote status was given on Friday 10 April, before it was complete. The latter point was definitely a Hobsons’ Choice matter, but none of this amounts to misconduct.
The SPFL’s QC’s opinion on the “Rangers [sic.], Hearts and Inverness” requisition was “leaked” to SPFL board member Ross McArthur (yes, really) and the SFA vice president Mike Mulraney. Honestly, we’re not in smoking gun territory here, are we?
Dundee’s vote gets a bit of attention. “Why was Dundee’s email address not whitelisted?” No assertion was made that this suggestion was put to the board, even by board member Stewart Robertson. And “Why was the quarantine not checked until 8.30?” I know this one! Because the vote was still open and it was only after Dundee got in touch to cancel their vote that someone realised it had already been sent.
They also challenge Dundee’s process for cancelling their vote, although not their right to cancel it. Yes, actually.
Dundee chairman, John Nelms, comes in for the heaviest treatment, although he is not in the firing line. It is alleged that in a conversation with the Partick Thistle CEO he offered to negotiate with Dundee United and Raith Rovers to forgo some of their fee payments in order to offer Partick and Stranraer a higher fee – and to try to arrange friendlies with “big-hitters”
No claim is made that Nelms was empowered by the SPFL to act in this way. He will no doubt answer for himself soon enough.
Threats were apparently made by SPFL solicitor Rod McKenzie to the CEOs of Dundee and Inverness that if they did not agree to the proposal, Championship payments would be split in 10 equal ways. This possibility was also made by Neil Doncaster on Sportsound, who made it clear that demand had been made on them, so it is not as though McKenzie was acting alone or either acted frivolously or off the record.
Douglas Park’s allegation of bullying centres on Rod McKenzie’s email to him, stating “Can we not simply resolve this by a confirmation that such an allegation will not be repeated in connection with these events and that the suggested course of action will not be proceeded with?”
I honestly put my head in my hand at this point. “Can we not simply resolve this….?” is not how bullying works. ‘Snowflake’ does not being to address this level of sensitivity. Mr Park, have some self-respect.
Uefa were approached with a joint letter from the SPFL and SFA on 4 April, when they stated “the vast majority” of clubs wanted the season curtailed. This was before the vote, so they were working on other feedback from clubs, or not at all. The former option is supported by the SPFL vote on 10 April. The report does not cite the SFA as co-conspirator, which is nice.
That’s all, folks! As a friend said earlier, go easy on them, they are a new club learning the ropes. The SPFL will enjoy a landslide win on Tuesday’s vote.
Message from HamiltonTim then Lennybhoy in memory of Helen Dunese Stewart, Minx1888:
“After the sad passing of my wife Helen (Minx 1888) on Saturday 2/05/20 the family have been inundated with offers from people wishing to send flowers or make donations to a cause. Consequently, we’re asking that donations be made to Strathcarron Hospice.”
JustGiving account for Strathcarron in memory of Helen
“Ghuys as you will know from reading CQN we recently launched the WalkwithShay Legacy Fund and set out our purpose. However, given the news of Helen’s death and on Chris launching his just giving page we would like to invite any of you that have not already donated a chance to either do so through the above just giving page or if you are unable to do so then send a donation to the WWS Legacy Fund account:
Account Name: Walk with Shay
Sort Code: 80-22-60
Account No.: 15326765
Please put your moniker as the reference. If you are unable to do either email us at walkwithshay@yahoo.com
We have already ordered flowers, done so before Chris launched the just giving page. The flowers are from you, ‘CQN’.
Helen was a massive part of the CQN family, many more worthy contributors to this blog have listed causes that she was instrumental in helping.The CQN family are second to none and always rise to the challenge, I as always have faith in you all. Helen had faith in you, please please donate via the just giving page or the WWS Legacy Fund account.
Chris’s target was £1,000 at time of this post the amount donated stands at £3,091.00
Thank you in advance CQN…
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!”
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My lunchtime post was perhaps too subtle so I’ll try again. Why are we celebrating VE day on 8th May, 17 days early since that memorable event 53 years ago?
Does anyone know if FF is likely to stay with us beyond the summer? Has there been any recent talk on him extending his loan?
Guys, see this Park
Is this the same Park who at one point was a Hearts director ?
Remember he had to resign from Hearts board after locking a referee in a cupboard – trying to bully him – in my view, it could be argued
The same guy, who i believe is in breach of FtSFA rule through holding a shareholding in 2 FtSPFL clubs ?
And who has a son, who abused / threatened Rod Stewart after Sevco lost a cup final game- allegedly, as Rod consoled his son
Good track record to be involved in football and claim bullying
DB- not read anything, we could be in a better position toget Forster now,with a lot of readjustment going on now
Jobo
Don’t get hung up – 99% of my posts pass without a comment. 🤗
Hardly the most pressing issue but maybe Celtic could use the current interregnum to look around for another company to supply the team bus.
Same applies to any CSCs still using Parks.
English is a westBrit.. He would do anything for his superiors… He also knows absolutely nothing about football.probably has never kicked a ball in his life
I would suggest that the wee pr1ck wouldn’t have lasted long on a rugby pitch either.
HH jg
completely off topic.. 2 things I remember seeing but no one else does. Game against St Johnstnoe. Late 70’s or early eighties. Dog on pitch. We were in total control.. So Peter Latchford spent over 5 minutes trying to catch it.. The moment he did St J broke away.. You could see him thinking aout letting dog go but said fuck that after all effort St J forward (maybe John Brogan tried to chip him.. He saved ball with ne hand and kept hold of dog It was up the hun end
next one was 1986 world cup.. round before hand of god game. Gary Lineker punched ball into net from a cross.. it was disallowed. Everytime he mentions Maradonna , calling him a cheat my blood boils!!
Ernie- agree,ditch Parks.
POG we did fight Deutschland 😀
I see the Sporscene thingy at 7:15 is us V Them from 2002. Before I decide to watch it, do we win?
Just looked on You Tube. If it`s the 2002 Cup Final, I won`t be watching !
BB – I agree, the transfer market is going to be really interesting at every level. The biggest clubs will no doubt continue to hoover up the best talent but the vastly over inflated transfer fees and wages for mediocre talent must take a massive hit. The days of EPL bench warmers costing 30-40 million must be at an end.
So many clubs will be trying to shift high earners out and those high earners will not be wanting to go anywhere as it will involve massive pay cuts.
Double-edge sword for us. Yes, we might get better players to join us as the big money down South dries up, We might be able to keep hold of the likes of Calmac and Frimpong long term but our business model of buying low and selling high will be hit, as the likes of Edouard see their transfer values tumble.
If the season had finished as expected, with a quadruple treble and Eddy banging in the goals, he would probably have gone for 30-35 million. Now does he stay? Or does he go for a vastly reduced fee?
If we are playing in empty stadiums for 2020-2021, a real possibility, how many players will we be able to afford to keep? How many clubs in the SPFL will actually be able to remain professional?
The questions go on and on. I was naive asking about FF because when you start asking one question, a 1000 others then need to be asked.
I don’t think Sportscene have shown us winning a game during their lockdown retrospective
Dodds of Troon used to have lovely green and gold coaches. No idea if they still exist. Stick the Death Star Parks coaches where the sun don’t shine.
DENIABHOY
Dodds of Troon still have the Green and Gold coaches 👍👍
Jinky
St Johnstone ?
Park Road 67 – thanks for that. We used to get them to go to school back in the 70s and 80s.
Just had a look online. The colours are still the same indeed.
https://www.doddsoftroon.com/coach-hire
On a different theme. I get really pissed off with the greed of people. It’s everywhere. We’re going to have the worst recession ever, bla bla bla.
you know who’s gonna pay for it don’t you??
I honestly think that Overseas Aid is a fantastic thing to do. However, we must , get to the root and help those who rEALLY need it. I mean, we give billions to india and Pakistan, probably a guilt thing from the distant past, but both these countries have a Nuclear capability and a fekkin space programme. Fun’s fun and all that, but get your arse off the pillow.
Another bug bear is the cost to US, of HST, £130 billion and counting, what’s that all about other than a vanity project.
Sorry for the rant, feel better now!!!!
Stay safe everyone
KINGLuBO
Park is the same guy who when he was a Hearts director, locked the referee in a cupboard. My brother told me that story last week. Which I was unaware of.
BBC news at 6 a disgrace . As another 600 people in the UK die. They deflect to VE day .
JOBO BALDIE on 8TH MAY 2020 6:07 PM
VE Day 25th May 1967 in Lisbon, all hail to the Lisbon Lions…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Kinglubo,
according to a government article in 2018,
the UK no longer give money to the Indian government.
They invested/gave £98m ,half to be invested in Indian enterprise,
the other half is to fund technical expertise.
Kinglubo,
that may be misleading,that was from an article
from the Department for International Development.
PictureThis Scotland
@74frankfurt
·
10h
League Cup Finals: Rangers 1 Celtic 2 in October 1965. Gemmell heads clear for Celtic at Hampden. Att: 107,609.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EXeqIiLX0AIxYkm?format=jpg&name=small
Disappointed but not totally surprised that that SPFL has ruled out any form of league reconstruction next season at least. Been like that pretty much since the mid 1970s. Does anybody know how the vote went, assuming there was one today. ?
hun game bbc Scotland 2 tackles by celtic 2 yellows one in box against Lmbert no penalty – commentator said he was going for the ball so no foul
St Stivs,
If I remember that it was one of the few occasions when Celtic got two penalties and Yogi scored them both.
HH
CELTIC MAC – I could be wrong but I don’t think it went to a vote. It just fell apart due to a lack of interest/support from the other SPFL clubs . Aberdeen are on the record as saying now was not the time to look at it but that it could/should be revisited in the future when the crisis is over.
I was there………..big yogi 2 penalties…………1 happy 10 yr old
saint stivs
A bit early for me attending Cup Finals, but judging from the crowd in the North Stand Enclosure in that picture, 107,000 would be a bit on the low side. Official or not.
THEBHOYFROMU.N.C.L.E,
Was Hugh Philips the referee?
HH
YOGIHUGHES on 8TH MAY 2020 7:33 PM
Yes he was…………both scored at celtic end.
deniabhoy
Just heard Debenture Roddy on Radio 5 there, he mentioned that it would have needed an 11-1 vote by the SPL clubs. That suggests some kind of vote, but one where more than one SPL club opposed it.
Hot Smoked 6.38.
I think it’s the 3.3 League game, at Celtic Park.
Adi – banggoes my conspiracy theory 😀
Jimmynotpaul
The ebt years